Metaphysics

“Every scientific man in order to preserve his reputation has to say he dislikes metaphysics. What he means is he dislikes having his metaphysics criticized.”
— Alfred North Whitehead

Spinoza

“The fact is that Spinoza is made a testing-point in modern philosophy, so that it may really be said: You are either a Spinozist or not a philosopher at all.”
—Hegel

Resolutions

New Years “resolutions”: More fruit, less bread. More sleep, less TV. More exercise, less sitting. More appreciation, less worrying. More understanding, less complaining. Small goals and modest changes. Have a great New Years everyone, and be safe out there. “There’s only one rule that I know of, babies—God damn it, you’ve got to be kind.”

Red Paint

Barns are painted red because red paint is cheap. Red paint is cheap because iron is plentiful. Iron is plentiful because it is the final element formed in the death of a star. So if anyone asks you to explain why barns are red using the properties of stars… there you go.